Bowling alley



A.-H. LEWIS BOWLING ALLEY July 1, 1941.

Filed Aug. 19, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. H. LEWIS 2,247,636

BOWLING ALLEY Filed Aug. 19, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 liwenlo ilfred JLLewzLs,

July 1, 1941.

Patented July 1, 1941 UNITED STATES NT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to bowling alleys and the method of making the same.

The present invention is particularly adapted for the construction of outdoor alleys for use at beaches and pleasure resorts where the alleys are often subjected to unfavorable weather conditions.

In alleys now in general use outdoors the changing weather conditions cause the boards forming the alley to warp and soon cause the alley to become useless. V

The object of the present invention is to overcome this objection and produce an alley in which the body portion of the alley is protected by water-proof and impervious materials so that the alleys will not warp but remain in operable condition for a long period of time.

Another object of the invention is the construction of the alleys in sections whereby they may be carted from place to place and the sections tied together when a favorable site is'found.

By making the alleys in sections it is possible in northern climates to disassemble the alleys and store them during the winter months and again assemble the sections in the spring at some selected point.

These objects are obtained by the mechanism illustrated inthe accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, one preferred form thereof is illustrated in the drawings, this form having been found to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it isto be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized, and the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organiza tion of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described except as required by the scope of the appended claims.

Of the drawings Figure 1 represents a side elevation of one part of a bowling alley embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 represents a side elevation of the other part of said alley.

Figure 3 represents a side elevation of a portion of the alley and showing the means for connecting together the adjacent ends of two sections thereof, said figure being drawn to an enlarged. scale.

Figure 4 represents a plan of a plurality of said alleys, each alley being composed of a plurality of sections of equal length,

Figure 5 represents a transvers section of the same on line 5, 5 on Fig. 4, drawn to an enlarged scale;

Figure 6 represents an enlarged detail on line 6, 6 on Fig. 4.

Figure 7 represents a horizontal section on line 1,1 on Fig. 6.

Figure 8 represents an enlarged detail, on line 8, 8 on Fi 1.

Figure 9 represents a plan of the frame work of one of the sections of the alley.

Figure 10 represents a side elevation of portions of two of the alley sections and showing the means for connecting them together end to end.

Figure 11 represents an enlarged transverse section through one of the alleys, and

Figure 12 represents an enlarged transverse section of a modified form of alley.

Similar characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

In building the improved bowling alleys a plurality of frameworks are first formed, each consisting of side timbers l0, l0 and cross timbers Centrally disposed between the side timbers I0, I and parallel thereto is a timber II, the opposite ends of which'are connected to the cross timbers l2."

7 At each end of this framework are diagonally disposed timbers l3, l3 bracing the framework and giving rigidity thereto.

All of these frameworks are made of the same width and the same length.

Each framework has superimposed thereon and secured thereto a roofing paper M which is impervious to moisture;

Over this roofing paper M are a plurality of boards l5 extending transversely of the framework and nailed to the timbers I0, I I.

Superimposed upon the boards I5 is a layer of water-proof composition Hi.

When this water-proof composition [6 is spread over the boards l5 it is permitted to harden and then the upper surface thereof is leveled, sanded and afterwards polished.

On the sides of each framework are channel irons l1 extending nearly to the ends of the frameworks and secured to the timbers I!) by bolts l8.

The central timber ll of each framework has a stiffening angle iron l9 secured thereto by means of screws 20.

When the frameworks have been covered as When the various units of each alley are placed end to end as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 10 of the drawings, the opposite sides of the adjoining ends of the abutting frameworks have secured thereto splicing channel irons 2| by means of bolts 22.

The different alleys having the various sections thereof spliced together in the manner heretofore described are placed upon a plurality of stringers 23 superimposed upon a plurality of posts 24 driven into the ground 25 and preferably connected to each other by plates 26 as shown in Fig. of the drawings. 7

One set of units 21 are placed at the head of the alleys and only a portion of the upper sur position It as indicated at 28, the remaining up per surface of these particular units being covwear upon the surface of the hole 42 in the gutter guard 4| which is constructed of wood.

Where the ends of the pipes 44 abut each other they are retained in alinement by a rod 41 inserted into the ends of the pipes 44, as shown in Fig. 3.

Where the various units of the alley abut, the space between these ends is preferably filled with the water-proof composition I6, as indicated at 48in Figs. 1 and 2 of thedrawings.

The space between the units at the foul line is not filled with composition I6.

In some cases it is desirable to use a modifid form of supporting structure, as for 'instance; such as is shown in Fig. 12 of the drawered with linoleum 29 or some similar material with the upper face thereof alined witl'ithefupper surface of the layer 28 of composition l6, asshown in Fig. 4 of the drawings;

'Ihese'units 21 at thehead ofthealley provide a runway for the bowlers and the division between these units '2 and the other sections ofthe alleys in advance thereof is at the'foul line.v

At the rearends of the alleys are platforms 30 for the pin boys, these platforms being'at' a lower level; than the alleys as shown: Fig. 2 of the drawings. j

These platforms-30 are supportedon stringers 3| mounted upon posts" 32-driven' into the ground25.

Between thevarious alleys and. at the rear ends thereof are partitions or baille' boards 33 as indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings,"and' these baffie boards 33 are covered withthe'same waterproof composition I6 as isspread ovefthe upper surface of theaboains I5 of *the various alley units; r

At the rear ofthe platform: 30 and above the same is swingingly mounted abuffier or usual construction. 1

Over therear end of the alleysis an enclosure 35 which protects the pin boys during inclement weather. This structure 35may be" "made in any convenient manner.

- Depending from the upper portion of the en'- closure 35 is a lamp 36 adapted to light upth e pins '36:: mounted upon the rear end'bf the alley.

In a similar'rnanner the front end of theall'ey is provided with a covering 3 13m protect the bowlers in inclement weather;

At the extreme outer sides'of the alleysare gutters 38 which rest-upon the stringers 23, these gutters having a gutter guard 39 extending upwardly from the outer side thereof. 7

' Between every two adjacent alleys. are disposed do'uble gutters 40 }40' with a gutter guard 4| extending upwardly between the two gutters 40', all as shown iii-Fig; 5; of the drawings.

Between two ofthe adjacent alleys. the gutter guard 41' has deep holes-42' formed therein,;e'ach hole being for the reception of the lower end of a'Y-shaped metal structure 43; the upper end of which is above the" upper end'ofthe'gutter guard 4| and has welded thereto two pipes 44 extending the length .ofe'ach unitofthe alley.

These pipes 44- form a ball race for thereturn of the used balls to the headvof the alleys. To the top'of the gutter guardis' secured a metal plate 45 having an opening 46' therein through which the lower end of the Y-shaped structure extends;

outer faced the timbers Ill. In this modified form of supporting structure,

. the framework l'0, II and I2 has a thick layer This 'plate ,tGIlCiSitO retain the Y-shaped structure 43 in vertical position and prevents" any of concrete 5!] superimposed thereon and over the upper surface of this; concrete is spread the water-proof composition; [6. a

' By making bowling alleys in the manner shown and described the various units of the alleyszmay bemovedfrom place to'placeand setup-at any desired point. i

If business gets slack at one point the units may be disassembled and mo ved to .ome: other point where itwould' appear the-businessywould be-moreprofitable. I i I Moreover, the alleys are-so constructed that the various units-may be storedduring the winter months andthenset up at any convenient place in thespringr g i When in use the coating of water-proof material covering the V alleysprevents. the alleys from warpingand getting outof. shape.

Moreover, by covering. the under faces ofv the boards with: water-proof roofing material, -moi sture is prevented fromerising anol-affectingI the boards. a i

This coating of water-proof compositionwllifor the'upper surface of the alleys iscomposedLin part of wooden chips and sawdust and 1 when hardened and polished makes-an excellent sur- The units 21 at the head o f 'thepalleys are entirely disconnected from the other units. of the alleys, andas a consequence, any jar upon these units 21 caused by the bowlers running lengthwise thereof will notbe' transmitted to the units forming the main portions of the alleys.

It'is believed that the operation and many advantages of. the invention" will' be understood without further'description' Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A bowling alley comprising. a: supporting structure'com-posed' of a plurality" of individual units, channel irons secured to the-outer" edges of the units forming the body'- of the alley'and' locking them in *alinement withtheir ends slightly spaced apart, the fiangesof said channel irons extending over upper and-lower faces ofsaid units, boards superimposed upon and extending transversely of each unit; and a -;level* coating of hardened waterproof composition of: equal consistency throughout superimposedupon and in contact with the upper surface ofsaid boards and adhering thereto. i a

2. A bowling alley as set forth in claim '1; in which the under surfacesof said boardsare protected by sheets of impervious material in direct contact with said under surfaces.

3. A bowling alley as set forth in claim 1, in which the individual units in the body of the alley are secured together end to end with the spaces between the adjacent ends of said units filled with portions of said composition.

4. A bowling alley as set forth in claim 1, in which an additional unit is disposed at the head of the alley and is disconnected from the units forming the body of the alley.

5. A bowling alley as set forth in claim 1, in which the channel irons enclose the opposite side edges of the individual units in the body of the.

alley, said channel irons being secured to the adjacent ends of each pair of units.

6. A bowling alley comprising a supporting structure composed of a plurality of horizon- ALFRED H. LEWIS. 

